Over the past few years some basic tenets of business and supply chains have changed. Globalization has changed and more companies are near-shoring and are integrating vertically. Global freight transportation has changed radically. Just-in-time inventory management may be on its way out and the way people shop and return goods is very different than just a few short years ago. These can be considered seismic occurrences with large supply chain implications.

With specific reference to assigned readings take two of the above (globalization, vertical integration, JIT, global freight transport, returns) and discuss. What do the articles tell you are the trends and why and perhaps more importantly what is your perspective on the issues?